Papers by Author: Enrico Bellandi

Abstract: The use of various H₂O₂ based chemistries for TiW etch was studied on single wafer and wet bench tools. The focus of the investigation was put on the different behaviors of these chemicals on blanket and patterned wafers. The results of the etch rate tests showed much higher values on the wafers where copper was exposed, leading to the hypothesis that the etch rate on TiW should be driven by the catalysis effect of the transition metal on the H₂O₂ decomposition reaction. Additional optical inspections, ToF SIMS, SEM and TEM analyses were carried out to confirm this hypothesis and find the best conditions in terms of morphology for RDL applications. Finally, the collected data were also used to evaluate the process cycle time and cost of ownership.

Abstract: Tungsten is a metal widely used for interconnections. As a consequence of more stringent requirements in terms of aspect ratio deriving from device shrinking, the filling of W plugs is becoming more and more critical and new deposition techniques need to be employed to properly fill contacts and trenches. For example ALD nucleation layers need to be coupled to CVD deposition. Since physical-chemical properties of W are heavily influenced by deposition techniques, the effect of wet cleanings on different kind of W needs to be fully understood in order to avoid any kind of W corrosion or recession during wet cleaning with W exposed. In this paper the effect of several chemicals commonly used in BEOL wet cleanings for polymer removal, has been investigated on W films deriving from both CVD and ALD deposition techniques.